Bed-bottom fabric



June "I, 1927.

R. BRADSHAW Y BED BOTTOM FABRIC Filed July 2. 1925 Rfk/fard raz/shaw Patented VJune 7, 1927.

ilsll'rsn *STATES RICHARD BiilAnsfnAw, or MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, AssIGNoR To SIMMONS.

COMPANY, OFKENOSHA, XVISCONSIN.

BED-BOTTOM FABRIC.

Application filed July 2, 1925, serial No.

This invention relates to improvements in bed bettom fabrics, and particularly to. fabrics of the type comprising a number of parallel spaced strands and means for hold- 'ing the strands in parallelisn'i, and the object of the ilivention is to provide a durable, eiiicient and inexpensive bed bottom which may be manufactured and sold at a moderate price. Y

A further object is to kprovide means for holding the strands of af bed bottom normally in parallelism, while at the same time providing a sufficiently yielding structure for comfort. v

A still further object is to provide a structui'e comprising a relatively small number of parts providing a large supporting surface for a mattress.

The invention consists essentially in the provision of a bed bottoln comprising a series of fiat strands or ribbons of metal arranged edge to edge substantially in parallelism, and bent or twisted in one or both edges at intervals to provide laterally faeing bearing silrfaces materially wider than the edges of they strands and disposed in lilies at right angles to the length of the strands. A series of spacing means, preferably helical springs, are .disposed to have abutting relation with the bearinOF surfaces of the strands with the helices thereof engaging between the bent or twisted edges of the strands and being held in position by locking wires extending through the springs and through apertures near the edges of the strands. Y

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred form of the invention Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a bed bottom.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the bed bottom on an enlarged scale as seen from below. j

F ig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the strands, showing'the relative p0- sition of the strands, spring'and locking wire.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4 4, Figure 9,. y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryplan lview of a portion of a strand before bending.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 11 designates one of tweend members Vthe slight elevations caused 41,176, andin canada september 13, 1924.

of a bed bottom frame rigidly spaced apart by any means (not shown).v 'A fabric is stretched between vthe end 1 members and comprises a series of flat strands or ribbons of metal, designated 14 and 15. The strands 14 are somewhat wider than the strands 15 and Aare disposed only at the edges of the structure. parallelism' and connected at their ends to the end rails by any suitable means, such as helical springs 16. When in the flat the. strands 15 are provided at intervals withf These strands are arrangedin l apertures 17 disposed adjacent the edges of the strands, the apertures being in line transversely of the strands, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The strands are then bent or stamped to channelor U-shape forni in the apeitured portions thereof, as clearly shown at 18 in Figures 2, 3k and 4, so as to bring the holes 17 axially in line. when thus formed are arranged iii parallelism with the channelled portions thereof in line transversely ofthe strands and helical springs 19 are pressed against the channelled portions so that one or moreturns of the "springs enter tightly into the clian- The strands nelled portion of eachstrand. The springs 19 may be, and are preferably, continuous from side to side of the structure, or may bea series of shorter springs arranged end to end. Preferably the outer extremities of the springs are connected to the strands 14'. Finally, locking wires 2O are passed through the springs and through the aper-V vextend from side to side of the structure but shorter Wires may be used.

The completed fabric thus formed is disposed in the frame with the channelled sides ofthe strands turned downwardly, so that the upper or mattress supporting surface is smooth and free fromsharp projections which might wear or tear a mattress. For all vpractical purposes the surface is flat, as

strands are channelled are very gradual and by actual measurement only a small where the fraction of an inch. The thin wide strands provide a large supporting area without accompanying great weight. The springs hold the strands normally in parallelism and against such separation as would permit a mattress to pass appreciably lbetween them. At the same time, the springs provide a yielding connection betweenVV the strands, enabling them to move sufiiciently so that the structure is comfortable but always returns by reason of the spring action to a flat surface. rlhe springs, being tightly wedged in the channelled portions of the strands, will not click or rattle in use. The whole structure is composed ofa relatively small number of parts of inexpensive construction, so that the material and labour costs are low and the bed bottom may be manufactured and sold at a reason able price.

While the foregoing description presents the preferred embodiment of the invention,

itwill be understood that a number of modi-- iications or alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The purpose of forming the strands to channel shape is primarily to present bearing surfaces for the springs 19, which form strand spacing means. It will therefore be understood that the nuinbfr of helices of the spring engaged in the chan-- nels is immaterial, also that lit is not essential for there to be anyy tight engagement of the springs in the channels, since if the channel walls tightly engage between ad'ja cent helices of the springs the same pur poses will be served. lt will also be ready ily seen that the channel shaped part may be so narrow as to be entirely closed and the two walls brought in contact `with one another and engaged between adjacent helices of the springs, or that the strands may be bent at one edge only and yetI provide laterally facing bearing surfacesand parts tightly engageable between adjacent helices of the springs. ln the channelling, the strands are bent from their normal plane through approximately 90, part of the width of the strand in one direction and part of the Width in the opposite direction.

lt will be iinderstood, however, that the entire width of the strand may be twisted at one time and in one direction through approximately 900. Other forms of spacing' means may be used. From the foregoing it will be readily `understood that numerous modifications may be made and that all such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are deemed to be included in the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l 1. A bed bottomfabric comprising a series of solid flat ribbon-like strands disposed edge to edge and distorted at intervals in their length to present laterally facing bearing surfaces, and spacing means disposed between the strands and engaging the ad3a-. cent bearing surfaces thereof.

2. A bed bottom fabric comprising a sei ries of substantially parallel solid fiat ribformed to channel shape at intervals ink their length to present laterallyV facing bearing surfaces materially wider than the edges of the strands, and helical springs disposed transversely of the strands having-the helices thereof at intervals engaged in the channel-shaped portions of the strands yand abutting the laterally directed bearing sur` faces of the strands. Y

fl. A bed bottom fabric comprising a series of fiat strands arrangededge to edge Vand formed at intervals iny their length to present laterally facing bearing surfaces and apertured in such surfaces,lspacing members between the strands engaging the bearing surfaces thereof, and means passing through the strand apertures holding the spacing means in operative relation with the strands.

5. A bed bottom fabric comprising a series of substantially parallel flat strands arranged edge to edge, saidV strandsy being formed to channel shape at intervals in the length thereof and apertured at their edges in such channeleshaped portions, and heli-- cal spring disposed transversely of thel strands and having the helices thereof engaging in the channel-shaped portions of the strands, and .locking Wiresy passing through said springs and through the strand apertures and holding the springs against disengagement from the strands.

6. A bed bottom fabricfcomprising a se rie-s of substantially parallel flat strands arranged edge to edge, said strands being folded at intervals about their longitudinal. axes to present laterally facing bearing surfaces appreciably wider than the edges of the strands and apertured in such folded portions, spacing members disposed between t-he strands in abutting` relation with the bearing surfaces, vand means passing through the strand apertures and holding the spacing means in operative relation with the Strands.

7. A bed bottom fabric comprising a sependicular thereto, the displaced portions of said strands being apertured, spacing means disposed between the strands in engagement with the displaced portions thereof, and holding means for said spacing means passing through the strand apertures.

8. A bed bottom fabric comprising a series of substantially iat strands arranged edge to edge, spaced portions oit said strands being displaced from the plane of the strancs to lie in planes substantially perpendicular thereto, the displaced portions ol said strands being` apertured, and helical springs disposed transversely ot the strands and embracing the displaced portions ot' the strands between adjacent helices, and lock# ing wires passingthrough said springs and through the strand apertures.

9. A bed bottom fabric comprising a se ries oi substantially parallel fiat strands disposed edge to edge, the said strands being formed to channel shape at intervals in their length to present laterally7 'facing bearing surfaces materially wider than the edges of the strands, and spacingmembers disposed between the strands and abutting the vadjacent bearing faces thereof.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD BRADSHAVV. 

